Trumpf Corporation

Leonid Zeygerman

Peter Leibinger

Thomas Rauser

Christian Zimmermann

Friedrich Kilian

Jorge Medeiros

Walter Kampitsch

A laser cutting machine includes a first bearing structure and a second bearing structure, a first support structure and a second support structure, a bridge, and a laser head. Each of the first and second bearing structures includes a support structure interface. The first support structure is configured to engage the support structure interface of the first bearing structure and the second support structure is configured to engage the support structure interface of the second bearing structure. The bridge is attached to the first support structure at a first intermediate support region and to the second support structure at a second intermediate support region and is configured to move in a first direction. The laser head is configured to move along the bridge in a second direction.

Transversal laser cutting machine

A cutting machine includes a suction duct that is movable with a cutting head of the cutting machine, using a common drive. The suction duct is disposed beneath the workpiece support and coupled to the motion unit supporting the cutting head so that it moves with the motion unit while an opening of the suction duct remains positioned below the cutting head during a cutting operation. The suction duct removes cutting debris and dust, and protects underlying machine components from beam damage.

Workpiece processing using a beam

Moving enclosures for laser equipment are provided. A machine tool installation is disclosed, including (a) a laser cutting head configured to be movable in three dimensions; (b) a workpiece support configured to support a workpiece in operative relationship with the laser cutting head; (c) a skirt configured to surround the laser cutting head on three sides and intercept light that passes from the head and is reflected off of the workpiece or workpiece support; and (d) a protective cover positioned to intercept light that is reflected off of the workpiece or workpiece support and is not intercepted by the skirt. The skirt and protective cover are configured to move laterally with the laser cutting head.

Moving enclosures for laser equipment

A workpiece processing machine, such as a laser cutting machine, includes a motion unit having an associated drive, a cutting head mounted on the motion unit and configured to deliver a cutting beam, and a suction duct or other form of beam interceptor coupled to the motion unit so that it moves therewith and an opening of the suction duct is positioned below the cutting head during a workpiece processing operation. The machine also includes a frame configured to support the motion unit and defining a movement area of the motion unit, the frame having a beam located generally centrally in the movement area.

Workpiece processing system

Moving enclosures for laser equipment are provided. A machine tool installation is disclosed including (a) a laser cutting head configured to be movable in three dimensions; (b) a workpiece support configured to support a workpiece in operative relationship with the laser cutting head (c) a skirt configured to surround the laser cutting head on three sides and intercept light that passes from the head and is reflected off of the workpiece or workpiece support; and (d) a protective cover positioned to intercept light that is reflected off of the workpiece or workpiece support and is not intercepted by the skirt. The skirt and protective cover are configured to move laterally with the laser cutting head.

Multi-axis laser cutting systems are provided. The cutting systems include a multi-axis, relatively high acceleration drive system, which includes drives that are configured to generate balanced inertial forces. In some implementations, the drives operate according to a polar coordinate systems.

High dynamics laser processing machine

A machine tool installation for laser cutting of sheet metal workpieces includes a workpiece support having a multiplicity of parallel spaced grid elements providing the upper surface thereof, and a machine frame having a generally vertical rear wall and an arm extending therefrom over the workpiece support, and upon which is supported a laser cutting unit with a laser cutting head, said grid elements of said workpiece support extending perpendicularly to said vertical wall of said machine frame. An unloading unit is provided to lift the cut parts from the workpiece support and transport them to a discharge station. In the unit a frame movably supports a pair of opposed fork assemblies which move between open and closed positions. These fork assemblies are spaced apart in the open position and have their opposed ends in adjacent relationship in the closed position, and they are movable vertically to enable the forks to be moved between the grid elements to pick up the parts.

Laser cutting installation with parts unloading unit

A machine tool installation for laser cutting of sheet workpieces has a workpiece support, an elongated machine frame of generally C-shaped configuration providing an arm extending over the workpiece support, a pair of tracks on the arm and extending longitudinally of the frame. A motion unit is suspended from the tracks and mounted for movement therealong with one end located adjacent the outer side of the workpiece support. The motion unit is movable bidirectionally along the track, and a laser cutting unit is mounted on the motion unit and includes a laser cutting head movable thereon in an axis perpendicular to the arm. The laser cutting unit is moved along the motion unit and is movable to the one end of the motion unit on the outer side of the workpiece support for facile servicing thereof by an operator.

Laser processing installation with readily accessible cutting unit

A machine tool installation for laser cutting of sheet workpieces has a workpiece support, an elongated machine frame providing an arm extending over the workpiece support, and a track on the arm which extends longitudinally of the frame. A motion unit is suspended from the track and mounted for movement therealong, and there is drive assembly for moving the motion unit bidirectionally along the track. A laser cutting unit is mounted on the motion unit and includes a laser cutting head movable thereon along an axis perpendicular to the track on the machine frame. A loading unit is provided at a loading station adjacent one end of said machine frame for lifting and transporting a sheet workpiece above the plane of the upper surface of the workpiece support and the loading assembly is moveable on the track on the frame. An unloading unit is provided at a parts receiving station adjacent the other end of the machine frame for lifting the cut workpieces and skeleton from the workpiece support, and it is moveable on the track to transport the cut workpieces to the parts receiving station. The motion unit is releasably coupled to the loading and unloading units for movement therewith along the track on the machine frame.

Laser processing installation with integrated loading/unloading of workpieces

A tool for machining workpieces by motion of the machining tool relative to the workpiece has a support extending in the X-axis over a work support table and movable in the Y-axis. A machining tool housing is movable on the support in the Y-axis. A portion of the housing containing the machining tool is movable with respect to the mounted portion in the Y-axis within a limited range of motion. A computer control effects operation of drive motors to move the housing along the support and the support along the machining tool table to machine a workpiece supported on said worktable in X and Y axes, and the computer control can also effect operation of another drive motor to rapidly move of the housing portion and machining tool in the Y-axis when the desired length of motion in the Y-axis is within its range of motion.

Laser cutting machine with two Y-axis drives

A tool for machining workpieces by motion of the machining tool relative to the workpiece in mutually perpendicular X-Y axes has a support extending in one axis over a work support table and movable in the other axis. A machining tool housing is movable on the support in the other axis. A portion of the housing containing the machining tool is movable with respect to the mounted portion in the other axis within a limited range of motion. A computer control effects operation of drive motors to move the housing along the support and the support along the machining tool table to machine a workpiece supported on said worktable in X and Y axes, and the computer control can also effect operation of another drive motor to rapidly move of the housing portion and machining tool in the other axis when the desired length of motion in the other axis is within its range of motion.

Laser cutting machine with multiple drives

A machine tool installation includes a machine tool with a work support table, and a workpiece guidance system. Adjacent the machine tool is a sheet material loader and unloader with a frame, a platform supported on the frame for vertical movement, and a sheet material gripper mounted on the frame for movement from a position forwardly of the frame to a retracted position. A sheet pickup depends from the platform to engage the top sheet of a stack of sheets disposed therebelow. A computer control operates the elements to move a workpiece on the work support table to a position adjacent the platform, and the gripper moves the workpiece onto the lowered platform. The sheet pickup engages a sheet and the platform is moved upwardly to move the engaged sheet to a position above the plane of the work support table which is moved thereunder, and the sheet gripper deposits the sheet on the work support table.

Growing community of inventors

West Hartford, CT, United States of America

Leonid Zeygerman